Madam Speaker, I was particularly touched by the comments of the member for Parkdale-High Park about his friend who on coming back from Florida was not able to find suitable medical treatment in Toronto. He had to go to Saskatoon and unfortunately it was too late.
Few issues treat all of us the same but the issue of health is one of them. All of us are concerned about health not only for ourselves but also for our families, friends and neighbours.
The hon. member for Nickel Belt, who just spoke, said that our country is very proud of its health system. I agree with that. He also said our health service has greatly contributed to our wonderful quality of life. I also agree with that.
The problem, I suggest, is the fact that the Liberals seem to think that they have a corner on wisdom when it comes to health care, that only they have the answers. This is really unfortunate.
I have also listened to the postering of the Bloc Quebecois during this debate. This is the official opposition that the Liberals choose to have in this House of Commons, contrary to anything else they may say. All the Bloc can do is posture about the whole situation with respect to Quebec in this country. It seems to me a shame
when we are actually dealing with an issue that has something to do with all of us.
The member for Parkdale-High Park said we must build a health care system before it is too late. Unfortunately, with the greatest respect to that member and to the Liberals, I say that the status quo as it pertains to medicare as it is presently constructed is not an option and that is the whole problem. The status quo is not an option.
Someone earlier in the debate today said that the Liberals were committed to medicare and to seeing that there are no barriers to access. I suggest that one of the greatest barriers to access is the $7 billion that the Liberals are pulling out of this part of the program.
Let us take a look at health care. The health minister threatens the provincial governments if they choose to try and come up with some new solutions or some different ways of looking at things in the same envelope from which they are taking $7 billion over two years.
The province of British Columbia has decided that it has to take some action because it is being cut back so drastically by the federal government that it again is responded to by the HRD minister with threats.
All of us in the House have times when we have to sit in front of students who are saying, what about the funding for education? We have to say we are sorry but that is part of the $7 billion package that is being cut back.
I suggest that this is not an honest policy. The Liberals are saying they are committed to medicare and yet at the same time they are taking $7 billion out of health, CAP and education. It is just not honest.
The member for Nickel Belt brought up the issue of the forum. He speaks about having a frank and open dialogue with Canadians. What I am speaking to here specifically is that words can become walls because they can create a caricature.
It is the desire of the majority of the Liberal members to create a caricature. They are saying the Reform Party is opposed to medicare, is opposed to saving what the member for Nickel Belt has already said, that our health service has greatly contributed our wonderful quality of life. The status quo cannot be maintained and we are the only party in this House prepared to say that. Let us take a look at what the options are, as opposed to simply rolling back and pulling in the amount of money that is presently available.
The member for Nickel Belt asked the question, let us determine what is essential. What is essential? Are all medical services essential? In what situation is cosmetic surgery essential? In what situation is liposuction essential? In what situation is sex change surgery essential? There has to be a list saying what medical procedures are essential. What is going to be covered by the contributions of people paying taxes in Canada?
I would suggest with the greatest respect and honestly in honour of what the member for Parkdale-High Park had to say about his friend, we must bill before it is too late. I ask him and I ask all Liberals in the House to realize that they do not have a corner on wisdom. They do not have a corner on a desire to see health care maintained and enhanced. In fact, the Reform Party has a plan called medicare plus which opens up a whole new way of being able to get to the root problem. The status quo cannot be maintained. We must make changes and we are prepared to make suggestions for changes.
In summary, I respectfully request that the Liberals within the hearing of my voice today reconsider and realize that they do not have a corner on wisdom. Perhaps we, in the Reform Party, have a couple of ideas that are at least worthwhile considering.
Why will they not co-operate with us in getting into an open dialogue so that Canadians can have an opportunity to have input into this process so that truly we can build a sustainable health care system in Canada.